"Two of the top federal cyber officials disagree over whether a cyber war is possible.

"White House cyber coordinator Howard Schmidt said earlier this month at the RSA conference in San Francisco that there is no cyber war, according to Wired.com.

"But the nominee to head the Defense Department's U.S. Cyber Command provided a different story when asked Thursday by Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) whether he agrees with Schmidt's comments.

"Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander tells the Senate Armed Services Committee that a cyber war in and of itself would not exist, but it more likely would be a part of a larger military campaign."

General Alexander's confirmation hearing happened in conjunction with the hearing for Vice Admiral James Winnefeld to become Commander of United States Northern Command and Commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command.